Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 655

Wayne first crossed paths with Zelena while promoting a variety show alongside the main cast.

Zelena had always been infatuated with Nolan, convinced he was the perfect match for her, which caused her to overlook the other male actors entirely.

However, after coming to terms with the reality that a romance with Nolan was out of reach, her emotions shifted dramatically.

What had once been love turned to resentment, and she found herself secretly hoping for Nolan to experience setbacks.

Spending time with Wayne allowed her to view him in a different light; he genuinely was a good man.

Though Wayne was ten years older than her, his well-groomed appearance made him seem remarkably youthful, obscuring the true passage of time.

If a relationship with Wayne blossomed, it could potentially open new avenues for her career, paving the way for more prominent roles.

What value was there in being popular without substantial work to support it?

In the entertainment field, genuine talent served as the bedrock, while fame often eclipsed mere popularity.

Zelena yearned for a prestigious award or perhaps a benefactor to assist her, much like Hattie, who starred in "Whisper to the Mountain Spirit" alongside Nolan, earning critical acclaim and paving her way toward potential awards in the coming year.

Zelena couldn't help but feel a stab of jealousy; why did Hattie get the opportunity to be in a film that could win awards while she was left empty-handed?

Having a high profile was advantageous, but she understood it wouldn't last indefinitely; she had to consider her future.

Even now, participating in variety shows felt like an uphill battle for her.

Her back injury flared up from time to time, leading her to depend on pain relief patches throughout the year.

Reluctant to step outside her comfort zone, she gritted her teeth and pressed on.

On the show, Wayne and Zelena were deliberately paired for publicity purposes, and she discreetly contacted him, pretending it was an apology.

Wayne didn't turn her down, which led Zelena to feel that there might be something developing between them.

She became invested in Wayne, even promoting his upcoming film on Facebook, where commenters, presumably paid supporters, raved about how well they suited each other and how wonderful it would be if they actually got together.

As the anniversary celebration livestream kicked off, Violeta graced the screen in an elegant gray haute couture gown, its simple lines exuding sophistication. Seated on opposite sides of the host, the cameras mainly focused on Violeta—after all, she was the evening's biggest star.